Mixing device

Abstract

The invention generally relates to a mixing device. In certain embodiments, devices of the invention include a fluidic inlet, a fluidic outlet, and a chamber, the chamber being configured to produce a plurality of fluidic vortexes within the chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluidic system comprising:
 a mixing device comprising:
 an outer body defining a chamber within the body, the outer body comprising an inert material such that the outer body does not become involved with a reaction occurring within the fluidic system; and 
 a plurality of members fixed within the body and spaced apart to divide the chamber into a plurality of sub-chambers defined between immediately adjacent members, each member of the plurality of members comprises a set of apertures unevenly distributed across a face of the member to thereby produce a fluidic vortex in a fluid flowing through the chamber, wherein two immediately adjacent members each have a respective set of apertures defined on different locations across the faces of the respective members, wherein the set of apertures of a first of the two immediately adjacent members comprises one aperture in substantial alignment with an aperture of the set of apertures of a second of the two immediately adjacent members while the remainder of apertures of each set of apertures of the two immediately adjacent members are not in substantial alignment with one another; and 
 
 a sensor connected to the mixing device for measuring a quality of the fluid. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the members are fixed within the chamber parallel to each other. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein a fluidic vortex is produced within each sub-chamber. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the aperture in each member has the same diameter. 
     
     
       5. The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the aperture in each member comprises a different diameter. 
     
     
       6. The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the aperture is about 6 mm in diameter. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the chamber comprises four members, a first member having an aperture located in a top portion of the first member; a second member having an aperture located in a bottom portion of the second member; a third member having an aperture located in a top portion of the third member; and a fourth member having an aperture located in a bottom portion of the fourth member. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the quality measured by the sensor is pH, conductivity, or a concentration of the fluid. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an injection port configured to
 inject a reagent into the flowing fluid. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber comprises a length of about 5.5 cm and a diameter of about 5 cm. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an inlet channel and an outlet channel. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an inlet coupled to the chamber and configured to sealably mate with the inlet channel; and 
 an outlet coupled to the chamber and configured to sealably mate with the outlet channel. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a switch valve connected to the mixing device that is operable to direct fluidic flow outside of the chamber. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a controller system that receives the measured quality of the fluid in the chamber from the sensor and operates the switch valve which directs the fluid to flow from the chamber to either a waste line or a product line based on the measured quality. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the quality is pH, the controller system operates the switch valve to direct the fluid in the chamber to flow to the waste line when the pH is less than 4.5 or greater than 7.5 or to the product line when the pH is about 4.5 to about 7.5. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a collection vessel directly connected to the product line to thereby collect the fluid flowing through the product line. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least two adjacent members comprise apertures exclusively on opposite locations of each other. 
     
     
       18. A fluidic system comprising:
 mixing device comprising:
 an outer body defining a chamber; and 
 a plurality of members fixed within the outer body and spaced apart to define a plurality of sub-chambers between immediately adjacent members, each member of the plurality of members comprises a set of apertures unevenly distributed across a face of the member that produce a fluidic vortex in a fluid flowing through the chamber, wherein two immediately adjacent members each have a respective set of apertures defined on different locations across the faces of the respective members, wherein the set of apertures of a first of the two immediately adjacent members comprises one aperture in substantial alignment with an aperture of the set of apertures of a second of the two immediately adjacent members while the remainder of apertures of each set of apertures of the two immediately adjacent members are not in substantial alignment with one another; 
 
 a pH sensor connected to the mixing device; 
 a switch valve that is operable to direct flow from the chamber to a waste line or to a product line; and 
 a control system that receives a reading from the pH sensor and operates the switch valve to direct the flow to the product line when the reading is between about 4.5 and about 7.5. 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the apertures of adjacent members have different locations on the member. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the apertures of adjacent members have different diameters and different locations on the member.